Jesse Gordon Spencer was born on February 12, 1979 in Melbourne, Australia. When he was eight years old, he became part of the Australian Boy's Choir, in which he admits provided him with training and discipline. It was with the choir that he met his mentor, Bill Shanks, who convinced his parents to let Spencer pursue an acting career. Throughout his childhood, he actively participated in various stage plays and musicals.
Spencer was later educated at Scotch College in Hawthorn, Melbourne. In was then when he auditioned for the role of Billy Kennedy in Neighbours, an Australian daytime soap opera. He soon landed the role and went on to play it for six years, from 1994 to 2000. He also appeared in the drama Death in Holy Order and the films Uptown Girls, which starred Brittany Murphy and Dakota Fanning, and Swimming Upstream, a 2003 Australian film based on the autobiography by Anthony Fingleton.
In 2004, Spencer was cast for the role of Dr. Robert Chase in the highly watched medical dramedy, House, which starred Hugh Laurie.
In talking about his co-star, Hugh Laurie, Spencer said to Courier Mail, "[Laurie] works really hard, he's got such a tough gig. Not just the medical stuff – which he has to deliver rapid-fire – but the accent on top of that is such a tall order. And a very difficult character. If I tried to play this character he'd probably just end up looking like an a-hole but Hugh [Laurie] somehow brings a comedic edge into it."
He added that he was first reluctant to play the role of a 36-year-old radiologist, as he was just 24 at the time. He said, "My agent rang up and said they had a pilot and I said, 'What's the point of me going in for that? I'm sick of going in for these roles that I'm never right for.' I'll go in for stuff that pushes the boundaries, but 36?"
In December 2006, Spencer was engaged to House co-star Jennifer Morrison. However, the engagement was short-lived as the two called things off in August of 2007. He also plays violin on the music group Band From TV, which was formed by Heroes star Greg Gunberg. They play at various events, and the proceeds go to the different charities supported by each member.
His dad is a radiologist.
Both of his brothers are doctors.
His sister is an intern in medicine
Has two older brothers and a younger sister
He was in the Australian boys choir
Has played the violin since the age of 10.
Plays the guitar, bass and the piano.
Unveiled an Uptown Girls (2003) window display in New York with co-stars Brittany Murphy and Dakota Fanning.
Just like his characters Billy Kennedy ("Neighbours" (1985)) and Robert Chase ("House M.D." (2004)), his real-life father and brothers are all doctors.
Sang the song "Molly Smiles" on the Uptown Girls (2003) soundtrack.
Was engaged to "House M.D." (2004) co-star Jennifer Morrison until 2007.
Is fluent in French.
Former room-mate of James McAvoy when he lived in London. The latter invited him to the Los Angeles' premiere of The Last King of Scotland (2006).
2007: In People's 100 Most Beautiful People issue.
I'm glad I'm back to being a nobody.
[noting that all his siblings are doctors] I'm the black sheep of the family.
Like Billy [his character in "Neighbours" (1985)], my dad is a GP and my two eldest brothers are, too. If I wasn't acting, I would have definitely gone into medicine, too. It's totally fascinating.
Mum decided that I could sing a bit, so she put me in a choir, which I hated and it was just a nightmare. I was a rebellious sort of choirboy.
I started off with violin, then I started learning guitar, then I went to piano. But I self-taught piano just because I enjoyed it. I've always really enjoyed music. I haven't played much the last four years because I've been traveling around, so when I got his role [Neal in Uptown Girls (2003)], I had to start playing the guitar again.